SDA Head of Devonport Submarine Infrastructure in Plymouth

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in‑service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at‑sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. The primary delivery location for this position is HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 2BG. Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

The Head of Devonport Submarine Infrastructure (DSI) leads a team of around 60 Civil Servants, Military personnel and contractors, reporting to the SDA’s Director Submarine Support. This role is based at Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth, with members of the team in Devonport and Abbey Wood in Bristol. This role as Programme Director is accountable for leading the portfolio of Major Infrastructure programmes in Devonport, acting in the role of Intelligent Client to set and agree requirements and funding with our Customers, develop clear specifications, negotiate with Industry to obtain value for money solutions, seek MOD approvals and then ensure delivery to budget, schedule, and performance standards while maintaining safety and compliance.

Key programmes include:

• Submarine Waterfront Infrastructure Future, to deliver a capability to carry out the maintenance of Astute Class submarines at Devonport.
• Submarine Refit Complex at Devonport, to deliver capability to defuel decommissioned Pressurised Water Reactor 1 submarines, and to deliver the capability to conduct submarine turnaround maintenance as rapidly as possible with a Staged Improvement Plan to sustain this capability until the end of operational life for Astute Class submarines.
• The development of new infrastructure projects supporting the future submarine programme at Devonport.

This is an exciting opportunity delivering capabilities critical to future operational availability of the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet, meeting growing demand and investment while leading SDA’s capacity and capability to deliver in a highly regulated environment at Devonport. It is one of the SDA’s most senior roles dedicated to infrastructure delivery. Alongside providing leadership for a newly established dedicated infrastructure team, the post holder will interact with many stakeholders over which they have no control, requiring considerable investment in communications, negotiations and influencing.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of the SDA’s Devonport Submarine Infrastructure portfolio, delivering the Programme in accordance with the agreed Performance, Cost and Time envelope to enable realisation of capability benefits for the Defence Nuclear Enterprise.
• Manage the complex stakeholder map associated with this portfolio of work, maintaining alignment with Industry, wider stakeholders (Navy, Defence Nuclear Organisation and Defence Infrastructure Organisation) including Senior Responsible Owners and regulators (both Defence and Civil) to ensure linkage with other MOD projects and deconflicting competing priorities.
• Create a deliverable, resource‑balanced programme, balancing customer requirements and budgets by employing effective delivery solutions, with risk‑adjusted delivery schedules, to best support programme ambitions and aims.
• Develop and align with commercial strategies, working with colleagues in the Submarine Support Directorate Leadership team and SDA Commercial team to optimise supplier performance and contract delivery, ensuring that value for money is achieved.
• Develop and promote a positive safety and environmental culture, meeting nuclear safety, environmental, and security standards through rigorous assurance and governance.
• Lead and develop the Devonport Submarine Infrastructure team, managing staff performance, development, health and safety, and promoting a positive, collaborative working culture aligned with SDA leadership standards.
• Accountable for the management of budgets with delegated authority and within approved control totals.

Delivery Capability

Whilst not exhaustive, the following capabilities and demonstrable competence will be required for successful execution of the role:

• Intellectual capacity to quickly understand complex infrastructure issues, with an ability to think strategically to shape long‑term vision for Devonport Infrastructure.
• Ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and complex infrastructure programmes, ideally in a regulated environment.
• Ability to manage change and ambiguity and effectively drive successful business outcomes.
• Natural leader who can negotiate with Industrial Partners collaboratively whilst also being demanding in the interests of the UK Government.
• Risk and Opportunity Management including effective control and mitigation, in both business and technical domains.
• Performance Management to deliver an agile, responsive, empowered and capable business unit and to build a high‑performing team.
• Strong and effective stakeholder management and communications skills.
• Ability to operate in a complex environment and deal with uncertainty and ambiguity.
• As a member of the Submarine Support Directorate and SDA Leadership Groups, contribute to our leadership of the Agency, promoting standards and displaying core values.
• Ability to bring agility and innovation to their work in a fast‑paced, challenging environment which attracts public interest.

Person Specification

• Significant experience in delivering major construction and infrastructure programmes and projects, ideally within complex, regulated environments.
• Proven ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and manage performance, development, and engagement, developing talent across organisations.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management at senior levels across public sector departments and industry, with a successful track record of engaging with and influencing a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Track record of delivering programmes within cost, time, and performance parameters.
• Outstanding organisational and leadership abilities as well as evidence of delivering strategic direction through an inclusive and adaptive approach.
• A proven commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.

Qualifications / Memberships

• Chartered Project Professional (ChPP), or other relevant Chartership status or willingness to complete early in tenure.
• Experience of leading large‑scale complex projects in the nuclear domain.
• Demonstrable commercial capability and astuteness.
• Major Projects Leadership Academy (MPLA) (or willingness to attain within 24 months).
• Qualifications or Accreditations applicable to major project delivery in infrastructure.